Antiques: TV lamps, Brownie cameras, maps

Question: My parents bought our first television set in 1953. It was a 17-inch Philco. Even though the TV vanished years ago, I still have the old light that sat on top of the set. It depicts a panther and was probably purchased when we bought the TV. Does it have any value?

- Cody, Tempe

Answer: My mom and dad bought our first TV set at about the same time, also a Philco with a 17-inch screen. Mother's explanation about never watching TV in total darkness was her firm belief that if we did we would ruin our eyes. She also was convinced that drinking ice water just before swimming triggered polio, but that is another story.

TV lamps featured such designs as birds, horses, Siamese cats, panthers, deer, ducks, swans and dogs. Only in recent years have these vintage lamps caught the serious attention of collectors. Some of the better-quality lamps were manufactured by Maddux of California, Morton Potteries and Royal Haeger. TV lamps I've spotted in shops and malls in Phoenix have mainly been priced in the $45-$65 range. The TV lights that are combination planters are also quite collectible.

Mark Stevens started a TV-lamp collecting site, tvlamps.net, in 2004 and launched a collector's club five years later. According to Stevens, both the site and club are useful sources where collectors can share and learn about TV lamps, including their rarity, values and history. Membership is free and can be attained by sending a request to stevens.01@charter.net.

Q: I have a Brownie Hawk-Eye camera, which I received as a birthday present in 1957. It took great pictures and still has its original flash attachment.

- Bill, Phoenix

A: Brownie Hawk-Eye cameras seem to sell in the $15-$25 range in Phoenix area shops. For a professional opinion, contact Collectible Cameras of Scottsdale, 7755 E. Gelding Drive, 480-607-2200, collectiblecameras.com and buyer@collectiblecameras.com.

Q: I have a collection of authentic maps, ranging from the 15th through the 18th centuries. I would like to have them appraised by an expert.

- Connie, Phoenix

A: You can chart your course by contacting the map experts at the Philadelphia Print Shop, 8441 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118, www.philaprintshop.com, philaprint@philaprintshop.com and 215-242-4750. Appraising older maps is time-consuming and not a free service. Even though most appraisers in this field charge about $175 an hour, the Philadelphia Print Shop offers a less formal e-mail appraisal for $45 per item.

Q: My husband has a large collection of vintage toys, mostly from the 1950s and many in their original boxes. How can we go about selling them?

- Chris, Carefree

A: Selling older toys is nothing to play around with since vintage toy boxes have become treasure chests in recent years, filled with such booty as cap pistols from the 1940s, decoder rings, vintage dolls and tin windups. I suggest you show your toys to local dealers to see whether there is any interest. Another idea is Ted Hake's auctions. Hake is a nationally recognized expert who conducts toy auctions several times each year, attracting bidders from throughout the world. Contact is c/o Hake's Americana & Collectibles, P.O. Box 12001, York, PA 17402, 717-434-1630, www.hakes.com.

Q: I have my great-grandparents' walnut bedroom set and Haviland china. I have contacted consignment stores, but there doesn't seem to be any interest.

- Sue, Scottsdale

A: Selling older furniture can be challenging, especially in Phoenix. Few of us live in houses that can accommodate larger pieces, especially ones that were popular during the Victorian era. Victorian furniture is not, however, without its use and charm. When I am buried by the piles of mail generated by this column and close to having an attack of the vapors, a fainting couch in my living room would be most therapeutic.

Victorian furniture and Haviland china patterns are often marketed at the Antique Trove in Scottsdale, perhaps a good place for you to contact first. Details: 2020 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-947-6074 and www.antiquetrove.com.

Q: For more than 50 years, I have collected antiques. I began as a bottle digger and now have large pitchers, cruets, canning jars and bottles. Could you please come and see what I have? I am anxious to hear from you.

- Clara, Morristown

A: Like my doctor, I don't make house calls, but I think the time has come to call in a specialist. Brent VanDeman is a member of the Phoenix Antiques, Bottles and Collectibles Club, and he can advise you. Contact him at azokie99@cox.net, www.phoenixantiquesclub.org and 602-818-6490.

Q: Although I've seen numerous pieces of Fiesta dinnerware in shops, I have never seen a vase, and I have two. The two 8-inch vases are red and marked "Fiesta Made in USA." I can't find them in any of the Fiesta price guides.

- Charlie, Peoria

A: Since the red color was discontinued by Fiesta in 1944, it is safe to say that your vases were made after 1936 but before the end of World War II. The Fiesta 8-inch vases are referenced in "Warman's Fiesta: Identification and Price Guide" by Glen Victorey. He claims the red vases would retail for about $800 each. This is an excellent guide, and I found several copies available at amazon.com for about $10.

Q: I have more than 75 collector plates issued by Franklin Mint, all in original boxes. I posted these plates on eBay for almost a year and haven't even had a nibble.

- Marie, Sun City West

A: Collector plates are instant collectibles, usually manufactured in large numbers and almost always impossible to resell. Rich Hartzog might be able to help you since he buys, sells and consigns issues from Franklin Mint, Danbury, American Heritage and Wittnaur. Contact him at Historical Americana, P.O. Box 4143CNT, Rockford, IL 61110-0643, www.exonumia.com, hartzog@exonumia.com, 815-226-0771.

Larry Cox is a former antiques dealer and a longtime antiques columnist. To ask about your vintage items, send a letter to P.O. Box 47308, Phoenix, AZ 85068 or antiqueanswers@aol.com. Include your first name and hometown.